tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56660682012-02-09T22:07:45.701ZBlack Boar BloggerWelcome to the Black Boar Press blog,
news and information from the
world of David HitchcockDavidnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-36162425391615664992012-01-30T15:48:00.002Z2012-01-30T15:58:47.541ZHello allAfter I did last week's Signal Man page I got thinking about how it should be printed etc. I plan on possibly gauging interest via this blog and Facebook, then possibly just printing to the initial orders, that way you will have something that will hopefully become a sought after item in 100 years time;) Just as a test I changed this page into sepia, what d'thee reckon? Should it be monoDavidnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-72133873350983009592012-01-24T16:53:00.004Z2012-01-24T17:11:32.619ZHello one and allJust produced page 2 of The Signal Man and it got me thinking that sitting in a signal box can be a very solitary existence, a little like sitting at a drawing board really, so it's good to get feedback on this ere blog. I'm assuming everyone is familiar with this Dickens classic, but just in case you are not... get your ticket and board The Signal Man express. We'll make stops Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-21997615886318990052012-01-13T16:55:00.011Z2012-01-13T17:33:59.928ZGreetings blog readersI spent time recently roughing out the Charles Dickens short story The Signal Man, adapted by Jason Cobley who has written many a fine tale and adapted numerous literary classics such as Dracula,Frankenstein and recently When the Inspector Calls. We are currently not decided upon how or when it will be published but here's the first page to be going on with (sans text, of Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-20838805505427452192011-12-29T12:34:00.002Z2011-12-29T14:02:15.351ZWell, 2012 is only a few days away, and my resolution would be to 'be more organised', why's that? I hear you ask, well on a recent rummage around the spare room I attempted to locate my personal samples of stuff I've done over the years. I thought that I'd kept a copy of everything I've done, but it seems I'm mistaken. The following is a 'sort of' bibliography, minus a few printed copies.Many Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-46482276779812456442011-12-02T15:33:00.003Z2011-12-02T15:55:41.615ZHello everyoneI had a great time at Thought Bubble in Leeds recently. The two-day show was heaving with folk and some pretty high-profile US creators. As well as selling loads of MS2 (and book 1 to many latecomers) I also went out and about touting myself to various publishers in an effort to try and get my name out there a little more, did sketches in the last few editions of my most recent Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-9386082585627082522011-11-10T17:40:00.003Z2011-11-10T18:06:50.169ZHello everyone...and a hearty welcome to all you new readers. In the coming weeks I will randomly select 'followers' from the list. If you could then contact me with your address, I will then send you a free 50-page sketchbook (this will only apply to UK residents only please) including commission samples such as mainstream comic characters, horror and loads more (from a limited number of just 50Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-57494049721090355482011-09-13T17:17:00.003+01:002011-09-13T17:27:33.417+01:00Hello all, I was recently tasked to produce a carnival show-type poster commission, to include some famous faces. It was great fun to do and has set my mind thinking on possible further versions, although I guess that will be down to whatever else I'm doing. On the theme of 30's monsters I receieved an email from a production studio in LA requesting the rights to use a Frankenstein image I drew Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-4268732774724694232011-08-15T11:41:00.003+01:002011-08-15T11:51:33.739+01:00
Hi Gang
This update is a bit different. A few weeks ago I decided to tackle the biggest single peice of art I've ever done, at 23x 16inches, it's not huge but my normal working area is A3, which is standard for most comic work of course. If anybody wants to buy it it I will have to roll it in a large art tube :). It's the Dark Knight as a dark knight, yes it's been done before but I thought I'd Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-39442330064138140682011-08-04T17:16:00.001+01:002011-08-04T17:19:42.713+01:00Sam Costello's 'A Mother's Love' is now showing hereDavidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-14220840492326722612011-07-25T11:27:00.003+01:002011-07-25T11:49:24.035+01:00Hello everyoneAren't horses difficult to draw? I've drawn them numerous times, especially in my first book SPIRIT OF THE HIGHWAYMAN, but trying to capture that dynamic leg position can sometimes be a royal pain in the butt. This drawing is one of those incidents. I always attempt to do it out of my head, which, I guess must be where the problem lies. I don't know about other artists, but when I Davidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-81354796173504479472011-07-06T13:54:00.003+01:002011-07-06T14:12:43.786+01:00Hello allI'm currently on the last few pages of ' A Mother's Love' a story for SPLIT LIP COMIC, a web-based horror anthology run by Sam Costello. The story itself contains some pretty gruesome stuff, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it ;) thanks for the opportunity Sam, hope there's more sometime. Head over to Sam's website for more details here. I'll be at the Birmingham Comic Con in August (first Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-34839086858324269982011-06-10T15:04:00.002+01:002011-06-10T15:11:47.774+01:00Greetings allYet another week closer to the release of Madam Samurai Vol 2, here, to whet your appetite a little is the cover art on the drawing board, when I completed the second book last December. After a good few months break from drawing I've just started on a short story which I was approached to illustrate way back before I started MS2. It's called 'A Mother's Love' written by Sam CostelloDavidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-13293171023357059672011-06-06T14:22:00.003+01:002011-06-06T14:35:54.752+01:00Hello everyone I checked out the latest issue of PREVIEWS and Madam Samurai Vol 2 wasn't listed, so sorry if you've gone out on purpose to buy it, as I did. The editor has given me the go ahead to show a page here...so here goes. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll flip at this one:) ...it's got action, gore, fights, gore, hacking, slashing...some great words and a few pretty pictures....oh Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-25416343275255343792011-05-31T15:42:00.002+01:002011-05-31T15:48:53.916+01:00Hello allYes, I know, long time no see. Paul Gravett has done a great review of The Sixpenny Murder short story I illustrated hereMadam Samurai won an award in LA recently, at a New Media event. Talking of Madam Samurai, the second book is listed in the current PREVIEWS. It's well worth ordering from PREVIEWS, and tell your comic shop to order some for their shelves too:)Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-75043452967883120222011-04-26T13:44:00.001+01:002011-04-26T13:46:35.085+01:00Thanks to everyone for the requests for Gothic, hopefully there should be a Paypal button here somewhere to enable to buy direct from this blog. I'll be back soon, promise :)Davidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-58935948042192874742011-04-19T17:08:00.008+01:002011-04-20T16:32:11.360+01:00Hello allYes, I know it's been a sparse around here for the past few months, nothing much to report as such, but the Forbidden Planet blog recently did a great review of GOTHIC, the tabloid collection a did a few years back, so I had to let you good folk know:) When I had this printed I expected it to be distrubuted by Diamond PREVIEWS, but at the exact same time I got all 2500 newspapers Davidnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-2567142931497136322011-02-18T12:24:00.006Z2011-02-18T12:42:51.019ZContinuing my rummage through the 'projects in the ether' files, I came across these pages of a 'Green Knight/Gawain' tale. I illustrated 12 pages to be submitted to various comic publishers, the chap who wrote the script wanted a complete story, but as I have found out, better to do 12 pages than 100 pages when not sure of the outcome. He touted around a few places but it wasn't taken up by Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-24464237690619487052011-02-12T11:54:00.004Z2011-02-12T12:06:49.921ZHello everyoneHere's a few more pages that have not seen the light of day before. These are from a well-known children/teen book publisher, so I had to change my style a little, as there are comedic elements within the story too. The author of the would-be gn, was a NY Times best seller, he'd had about 15 books under his belt. I guess that's why his trousers were tight.Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-50527986629992534132011-02-06T11:38:00.003Z2011-02-06T11:57:11.407ZSTAND AND DELIVERA few days ago a good friend of mine pointed out that there were two pages of my original art for sale on ebay. The pages are from Spirit of the Highwayman my first ever gn. I only produced 500 of these books way back in '99 (cor, time really does fly) and they have become a sought-after comodity-- one went for £50 last year on the same auction site. Funny really as no one wantedDavidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-61566374156761392442011-02-04T17:49:00.003Z2011-02-04T18:15:28.444ZGood evening everyone,I've been busy having a massive cleanout at home, ready for an imminent house move. During this ardous task it set me thinking about posting some archive bits and bobs, which for one reason or another you may not have seen before. Here's a few to start us off. I used this Batman illustration as a little colouring tester, as you can see I got bored a few minutes into it. I'd Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-5130131626671615462011-01-25T21:36:00.005Z2011-01-26T13:08:44.541ZHello all, Here's a cover rough for Vol2 I should be okay to post this has I've tweaked it for the finished article. I've listed a few items on ebay also, there's a French Sketchbook which will include an original painted sketch of any character you wish, a batch of original art pages from the Sixpenny Murder short I illustrated, and a few other odds and sods when I get round to sticking them Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-47351540858859741782011-01-08T18:05:00.004Z2011-01-08T18:21:17.546ZHappy 2011 everyone. I've just been reading Grant Morrison/Mukesh Singh's 18 Days, don't know if any of you have seen it, but it ranks as one of the most beautiful books I've seen in recent years, I highly recommend it! There's a hell of a lot of work in it (from both creators).Well, it's a new year and new projects for me, first on the list is an 18th century slice of american gothic, for Davidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-48138809263355639672010-12-23T16:11:00.002Z2010-12-23T16:15:44.362ZHello folks. Well, I've just pre-ordered my first book of 2011. The Art of SuckerPunch -signed by Zack Snyder. This film looks really tasty indeed. Check out this trailer (If you've not already seen it. Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-44569611496796991552010-12-19T22:21:00.006Z2010-12-19T22:36:01.015ZHere's a few half-done pages from the second Madam Samurai gn. More to come soon. Apologies to anyone who may have ventured to Mondo Comico in Nottingham a few weeks ago, the snow put paid to my plans.Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-73122638244296242002010-11-25T12:53:00.002Z2010-11-25T13:02:44.296ZHello again,If you are in Nottingham this Saturday (27th Nov) then why not visit Mondo Comico, where you will be delighted to see IAN CULBARD and my good self doing a signing to celebrate the shop's birthday. A day of sketching and good comics, what more could you ask for? I'll be picking up my copy of 'At the Mountains of Madness' Ian's latest for SelfMadeHero, and I'll be bringing along my Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-76207232275052532402010-11-11T11:41:00.003Z2010-11-11T12:04:07.381ZMADAM SAMURAI ON THE BIG SCREEN (relax, it's only the pages of the graphic novel projected on screen at BICS last year) The pages were featured in a talk about comics to film, which is a pretty big trend right now. The screenwriter Gary Young was present, he wrote Madam Samurai as a screenplay intially, then passed it onto me to break down into sequential form, unfortunately I was doing sketches/Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-70869033612283304522010-10-24T22:52:00.003+01:002010-10-25T00:01:04.177+01:00BICS...and the world's most expensive Iceberg Lettuce.Okay friends, here's my little BICS rundown (this section has nothing to do with lettuce). As usual the Birmingham show was very busy indeed, I love the venue and I think Shane and crew do a fine job on the organisation side, this year there were talks I wanted to get to see, but as usual with sketching and everything the Saturday went like Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-45345324038540130262010-10-04T12:42:00.004+01:002010-10-04T13:18:40.302+01:00Well, it's been a while since I got back from Paris Manga, can't believe where the time goes, having said that I've been a bit busy finishing off a short story submission for CLiNT, more pages for book two of Madam Samurai and a few random illos. Anyhow, Paris, apart from meeting loads of new people, artists, writers and fans alike, the icing on the cake must have been my meal with the Aaltair Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-66250566460740181732010-09-12T23:13:00.002+01:002010-09-12T23:28:10.873+01:00Good evening allBeen busy sketching on 20+ sketchbooks for the Paris show, got quite a few more to do during the week also. Yesterday I completed a short story for inclusion in an upcoming issue of CLiNT, assuming it's still going strong after six months. Can't show you the page I did yesterday coz it would spoil the twist ending, but really looking forward to seeing it in print--I'm hoping it Davidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-51684975740024134142010-09-10T15:07:00.003+01:002010-09-10T15:15:52.751+01:00Bonjour mon petit poisYes, as you can see I've been brushing up on my French. Just yesterday I got my sketchbooks delivered, and last night began the task of producing an original sketch in each one. There will be just fifty books available for the ParisManga show next weekend (18&19th Sept). Here's the first few...Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-7355174815180752672010-08-27T12:45:00.003+01:002010-08-27T13:07:20.306+01:00Hello folks...or should that be 'bonjour'? Yes, my trip to Paris is looming large on the horizon and I've been preparing a 50-page sketchbook for the event. Springheeled Jack is being released in a French edition by the good folks at Aaltair---a fledgling publishing company with big ideas. I've heard that the european market is much larger than the UK so we'll see what happens. Aaltair are Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-48830276127905065972010-07-15T20:41:00.009+01:002010-07-15T21:04:03.516+01:00Greetings gang Just finished a cover for a short story which I illustrated earlier this year. Written by John A Short, it's a tale of tragedy from the streets of Liverpool. THE SIXPENNY MURDER is a true story of a gang of 'cornermen' whose violent antics took a turn for the worse. It's an attempt to try and warn young offenders of today, through the pages of a comic strip, to show how one simple Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-13882471166186329162010-07-02T12:11:00.002+01:002010-07-02T12:21:11.772+01:00Greetings all,Just a quick update this week, here's another drawing featuring everyone's favourite bat-like crime fighter, tussling with TwoFace and some goons on a rooftop. I'll be revisiting SPRINGHEELED JACK again soon... but only for the ex-libris bookplate in the French edition, which will be coming out in September I believe. I'll keep you all posted.cheers for now,DaveDavidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-58322070539434622792010-06-18T21:05:00.008+01:002010-06-18T21:21:50.510+01:00A big thankyou to everyone who showed up at the MADAM SAMURAI book launch at Infinity and Beyond last weekend. It seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves, including Gael, Gary and I, Shane had been helping in the shop and organising drinks for everyone, lots of favourable comments and sneak peeks at book two, plus original pages to gleg at. If you intend getting the book it's out everywhere now (Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-51472536046791533512010-05-30T16:09:00.002+01:002010-05-30T16:22:07.509+01:00Hello allA week since the Bristol Comic Show already? Although these events are always great to attend, you can never get round everyone that you want to see, despite the fact that it was about a quarter of the size of what it used to be. I was there on the SCAR Comics table with a some advance copies of MADAM SAMURAI, it seemed to sell pretty well over the weekend, I'm gearing up for the launch Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-53799098449579094682010-05-22T00:34:00.003+01:002010-05-22T00:41:09.278+01:00I should really be in bed! At 4.30 this morning I'll be getting up to set off to the Bristol Comic Show, on the SCAR comics table, if you get there early enough and buy a copy of MADAM SAMURAI, you could win yourself this framed peice of art! Generous to the end, that's me:) Hopefully see some of you there over the weekend.Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-73559403957379733602010-05-17T19:49:00.002+01:002010-05-17T20:01:48.941+01:00Hello gang Well, with Bristol on the horizon there's not much time left to get anything new done, but I will be bringing some original art to browse through. Here's peek at a promo peice I did for MADAM SAMURAI, I went back to it this weekend and fleshed it out a bit, not finished as yet but I'll have it with me at the show.I'll be signing Madam Samurai Vol 1 at the SCAR comics table. 80 pages Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-41645787885375030712010-05-10T21:54:00.002+01:002010-05-10T22:04:32.484+01:00QUACK!Well, I'm not certain what kind of noise a penguin would make... but this one's not happy! Just started a comission for a collector who is picking up his penguin at Bristol in a few weeks. See you all there, I'll be at the SCAR Comics table with MADAM SAMURAI.Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-69569521114095954422010-05-03T12:41:00.002+01:002010-05-03T12:53:48.822+01:00Good day all I was just scrolling through some of my images and thought this one might be a good one to post. It's from a fair while back, a couple of years I reckon. I really like doing gothic versions of Batman, tweaking the costume here and there although thinking about it I don't think he's be able to hang onto those roof tiles in those boots. Just had a comment on my last post where someone Davidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-81944357720402554432010-05-01T23:03:00.002+01:002010-05-01T23:08:07.586+01:00Hello everyone...Testing, testing, one two, three...well, it seems like I'm still here (although, technically speaking there is still one hour to go before May 1st is yesterday's news) The warning message is still there, but hopefully it seems ok...whew..Now I can tell you I did TWO pages of art today, yup a mammoth 13 hour stint at the drawing board....must go an rest my aching hand.Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-24024092007649783742010-04-24T11:40:00.005+01:002010-04-24T12:25:29.447+01:00Hello allThe other week I went to the TURF signing in London. Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards were signing their new comic at FP on Shaftesbury Avenue. Mr Ross was an absolute gent and, as most know, heavily into his comics. We had a (very) brief chat about Jack Kirby art and his collection and I gave him and Tommy a copy of my newsprint comic GOTHIC, which they wanted signing. Cool.On the Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-61346087833647425902010-04-11T17:12:00.003+01:002010-04-11T17:38:39.280+01:00Hello allI'm not sure what's happening with this ftp lark. For a while now, anyone who has a blog here will have noticed the 'Migration alert' on the intro page. FTP blogs are no longer supported after May 1st--which means I needs to shift , ahem, 'Migrate' my stuff for it to continue, however I've hit the 'start migration' tab and nothing happens, it doesn't really give you a guide as to what toDavidnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-53057028859243777772010-03-15T21:36:00.002Z2010-03-15T21:52:01.868ZAnd now for something (a bit) different. I've just started work on a short story aimed at wayward teens. I can't say much about it, but the aim is show how things can get out of hand in a gang-related incident. Our tale begins in Victorian Liverpool (see, it's not just London) with the condemned 'villain' of the peice being abruptly awoken from his last night's sleep by the visage of the Grim Davidnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-11518646013837534342010-02-19T19:36:00.002Z2010-02-19T19:53:07.544ZYes, friends it's true, I'm officially Addicted to Amazon co.uk (and sometimes .com) I first started noticing there was something wrong when my local comic shop closed down last year. I needed that weekly fix, flipping through those fresh pages, smelling the paper ahhh... you can't beat it. The nearest comic shop is about 20 miles away in Nottingham, so I don't get there very often. I'm so out ofDavidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-37617534098335745592010-02-12T23:19:00.002Z2010-02-12T23:29:16.340ZHere's a thing. A few nights back I got home from work and there was a packet from Amazon. I thought 'that's weird, I'm trying to kick the habit' anyhow I opened it up and there was a blank cover copy of DRACULA, with a request to sketch on it. It was a fun thing to do, and I may well do some for myself sometime down the line----here's the initial stage, I've finished it, put some colour on it Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-88020845127692340852010-02-03T22:30:00.002Z2010-02-03T22:48:04.903ZShredded Shirt: Week 1Good evening lady and gents, here's a strange one... this drawing is in the process of being done for comic colouring veteran Tom Smith (he's worked for all the big comic companies over his twenty+ years in the business). Tom asked if he could add some colour to one of my recent peices and it kind of sparked a possible idea, which I'll tell you more about if anything ever Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-62969054071497362732010-01-22T23:11:00.003Z2010-01-25T12:15:00.788ZWhat's this....TWO posts in the same day?? Here's a drawing I've done over the past three nights, I'll call it Ferocious Twiglets for the hell of it. I've been reading the Horror Stories of R.E.Howard on and off for a while now, mainly before I go to bed. The other night I read a short tale about forest people, it wasn't a Solomon Kane story, but it sparked off a little idea for a drawing. Davidnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-55390525969009867102010-01-22T14:54:00.002Z2010-01-22T15:05:19.869ZParlez vous Francais?Greetings everyone, this is just a quick note to let off a little excitable steam. June of this year will see a French version of SHJ, to be published by a fledgling company. I have heard great things about the european comic market and I shall be experiencing a show in Paris around June/July when they release Springheeled Jack: Strange Visitor to the masses. Just as a Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-66374899689438137362010-01-03T21:19:00.005Z2010-04-13T11:53:51.801+01:00Happy 2010 everyone:) It's cold outside and with the odd nearby tree ready to go supernova I thought it best to stay inside and do some drawing.Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-10963720685763885462009-12-30T21:07:00.004Z2009-12-30T21:38:13.841ZWelll...end of the year again eh? Where does the time go? It's been a while again, so I thought I'd post my last blog for a year. 2009 - It's been a busy one... consisting of about ten A3 pin-ups, 10 Dark Avengers sketch covers for a retailer in the US, 50+ individual painted sketches for my OBSCURA sketchbook, 81 pages for the gn, 156 rough layouts (again for the gn) and a few other odds and Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-48362685768854014952009-12-07T13:40:00.019Z2009-12-07T21:50:18.837ZHello all,It's been a pretty busy month, not many pages of the book done, but I have roughed out the whole thing now. I normally do an A4 size rough to help with layout etc and now I've finished those, the book will now be a massive 156 pages long, split into two volumes as I speak.A few weeks ago I went to the Thought Bubble show in Leeds, met up with my buddy Graeme Neil Reid who was showing meDavidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-18260860485660592202009-11-19T21:25:00.003Z2009-11-20T10:43:22.049ZHello yet againThese posts are getting far too regular:) Last week I made contact with a fantastic comic shop called ORBITAL COMICS in London, they were having a James Jean signing, I asked if I could pre-order a book and get it signed as I couldn't get there. They were really good and not only did I get it signed but a got a sketch in there to boot...that made my day.Anyway, I scanned their Davidnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-14678305765115170962009-11-18T15:21:00.002Z2009-11-18T15:25:09.551ZHi Folks Here's another Batman commission, the chap asked for a graveyard scene with Bats at his parents grave, but when I actually got to the headstone a little lightbulb lit up...wouldn't it be cool to put his creator's name there instead?Davidnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-19986844084331346642009-09-21T21:42:00.003+01:002009-09-21T22:09:45.839+01:00Last week a good friend of mine from the U.S. managed to get a copy of GOTHIC in front of the legend that is Stan-the man-Lee. It was at Pittsburgh Con and Stan had a list of 900 folk who had paid for a signature ticket...as you can see by the picture they moved things along pretty quickly, and they wanted to rid Stan of the item pretty sharpish by the look of things;)---still I guess that's whatDavidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-11411708391748406292009-09-08T15:39:00.003+01:002009-09-08T15:45:44.169+01:00Hi gangJust a quick update here, got no graphic novel done this past weekend, but I took the time up with this commission instead. I don't normally get many requests for commissions, but I do have a little backlog building now (so if you have asked in the past, apologies that I've not gotten to it yet). In the meantime check this one out. cheers for now,DaveDavidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-14723459204562290692009-09-04T20:07:00.002+01:002009-09-04T20:15:57.794+01:00I recently stuck a few things on that well-known auction site and actually SOLD one of them, yes lady and gentlemen someone was actually looking for my name to crop up. The item in question was one of my sketchbooks. The request was for a Ripper sketch on the cover. It was purchased by a girl...for her MOTHER as a birthday gift!! Apparently her mother has the newsprint edition of WHITECHAPEL Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-90086433896889651252009-08-03T20:37:00.003+01:002009-08-03T20:41:21.479+01:00Here's the finished article chaps. I'm pretty pleased with the outcome, and it takes a lot to make me happy nowadays.Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-12150668584135659162009-08-02T11:23:00.002+01:002009-08-02T11:33:36.807+01:00A MATTER OF GRAVE IMPORTANCEA good few months back a fellow in the US asked if I'd be interested in doing a commission featuring the world's greatest detectives. I thought that sounded pretty original so I accepted. What with the graphic novel I'm drawing I've had to put any commissions aside just lately, and concentrate on the job at hand. I fancied a change of subject matter so set about the Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-4110238503775426932009-06-26T11:00:00.003+01:002009-06-26T20:20:59.144+01:00Here's a quick post to let you folks know I've stuck a few things on ebay.co.uk Check em out!Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-35794962018207243952009-06-23T13:18:00.002+01:002009-06-23T13:39:15.947+01:00Hello everyoneLast weekend I got to the drawing board, did a few odds and ends, and (nearly) completed one page from the samurai gn--- here it is. The last few panels need finishing off, but you get the picture. This page is a flashback sequence, depicting the end of the Satsuma rebellion and introducing the main character (as a young girl) for the first time. The script called for a ravaged Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-35031343994428129162009-06-10T11:39:00.003+01:002009-06-10T16:25:05.179+01:00GRAEME NEIL REID is a hero. Why do I say that? Well, he's just illustrated a best-selling book, which I happened to see on the shelves at ASDA at the weekend http://www.asda-entertainment.co.uk/asda/7066670.product It is a very lush volume by the two authors of the best-selling 'DANGEROUS' series. HEROES through the ages bought to life in superb detail, there's well over 100 pen and ink Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-68649490691923358252009-06-01T13:53:00.002+01:002009-06-01T14:08:37.002+01:00Hello everyoneThe other week I happened to catch Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame on TV, it has to be one of my favourite animated tales, all those 3d rendered cityscapes and old gothic architecture, beautiful stuff. But not only did it look great, the heart of it was great too... only top animators such as those who work at Disney could evoke emotion in only the tiniest of movements (this Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-46321874532523189352009-05-22T11:33:00.002+01:002009-05-22T11:38:54.624+01:00Here's another small update,folks (just to keep everyone on their toes). Another werewolf drawing, it won't win any awards for being great BUT at least it's looking like what it should;) I've done about 4 werewolves recently and this one is one of the better ones. Gotta get back on the gn this weekend, I'll be back week.cheers allDaveDavidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-57447749750479796752009-05-20T09:48:00.003+01:002009-05-20T09:52:55.287+01:00Good day everyone. Here's the Manbat peice, in progress and finished.Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-58774557138972079202009-05-16T20:44:00.002+01:002009-05-16T21:12:29.914+01:00BY CROM! Hello all, after a relatively laid back Comic Expo last week I'm back at the drawing board today, here's something different for me, my first CONAN attempt done as a request for a French collector. Strangely enough I'm currently reading R.E.Howard's HORROR tales (superb Greg Staples illustrations dotted throughout) it's a cracker of a book, and it got me thinking it would be great to getDavidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-8090092629062561472009-05-07T21:46:00.004+01:002009-05-07T23:20:16.043+01:00Just one last chance to plug something before the SPExpo in Bristol... Cthulhu Tales issue 12 has my first ever (and quite possibly last) US published story. A 10 pager written by Shane Oakley, I've raved about it previously, I'll have some precious copies with me at the show. Also, I recently fought off the apaches to get my copy of WESTERN...in it I have a six page tale written by John and LeahDavidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-26122226289619683652009-05-05T22:49:00.003+01:002009-05-07T17:19:23.157+01:00 It's official...I'm as crazy as a coot! Got 30 of these suckers done now, four are sold so far. For all those chaps that have requested I put one aside, I won't be taking all 60 (mainly because I probably won't do any more now, except those direct in front of folk at the show) there will be plenty left to scribble on later, so no worries there. Now I just need to sort out all the stuff I'm Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-13442127994125424012009-05-03T17:19:00.003+01:002009-05-03T19:50:47.798+01:00Hi gangBeen busy collating, stapling, trimming and sketching this weekend. So far I've done 21 painted sketches. This year I've decided to do a sketch on EVERY one of the 60 books...I must be insane (either that or just plain crazy). OBSCURA the 2009 sketchbook from Black Boar Press is 40-pages of art which you may not get chance to see. Cover sketch-wise I've done quite a few mainstream Davidnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-92083812040095881902009-04-14T21:46:00.003+01:002009-04-14T22:16:01.319+01:00I'VE BEEN FRAMED!Hello gangHas it been touted round that I'm paying for 'followers'?..jeez I've got seven. Yay, anyhow here's some news for you seven (thanks, mum). I've recently had the good fortune to get an opportunity to do ten 'sketch covers' for the Comics Guaranty (US spelling)Company, or CGC as we know them. To be precise Sean McCloughlin of NYComics asked me to scrawl on blank covers of Davidnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-20148515287932282009-03-25T11:16:00.007Z2009-05-20T16:24:59.454+01:00Hello..oooooooOOOOOOAnother commission peice from a chap in the US. A companion to the 'Lurker' vampire I did the other week. I'm getting a bit more experience with werewolves just lately. At least this one doesn't look like next door's alsation. A few of you have asked if I'll be at Bristol this year, the answer is yes, but in the small press event held near the main event. I'm thinking about Davidnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-15073193697729875762009-03-15T20:37:00.003Z2009-03-15T20:51:39.942ZVAMPIRE WEEKENDHello all,Been busy this weekend, hunched over the drawing board, working into the small hours under the flickering glow of the oil lamp I pulled out all the stops on a couple of vampire peices. Nosferatu's Shadow - I tried to get some of that old Germanic 20s look into it. The dread in the woman's eye's as she realises she is frozen to the spot by the Count in the doorway.The Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-54222409619326179352009-03-09T16:49:00.002Z2009-03-09T17:09:30.355ZIt's that time again.WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN? Well, I have to say 'I got no work done today because' we (wife and I) went to see Zack Snyder's (that doesn't sound right) WATCHMEN. We thought it was a damn near perfect interpretation. Once again, taking Dave Gibbons's panels and converting them to celluloid realism as only he can. I know that Alan Moore does not find his other interpretations 'Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-56214597813120178902009-03-04T11:50:00.002Z2009-03-04T12:02:24.230Z...now for something completely differentA few months ago I was asked if I fancied doing a Cursed Earth Dredd commission. I sketched it out and then got involved with the other stuff I've been doing lately. Last night I thought I'd start it proper. The idea is that Dredd is fighting off some mutant cave dwellers. I'd really like to concentrate on the lighting with this one, the main source being Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-81217802795680489992009-02-23T09:35:00.002Z2009-02-23T09:42:43.648ZHi Chaps (and chapesses...possibly) Here's the finished page for all to see. You will notice a few changes here and there, which were not on the initial pencil rough. I try to fill as much of the panel as possible even if I know it may be covered by a speech bubble. I'm going to be putting a load of stuff on ebay over the next few weeks. Under 'David Hitchcock' so try and get over there (sorry, Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-68407833759059198872009-02-20T15:12:00.005Z2009-02-23T23:15:51.388ZHello allI recently started a fairly lengthy gn for Scar Comics/Bigger Pictures, written by screen writer Gary Young-- with the aim that it will be used as a tool to promote it as a movie. It's called MADAM SAMURAI, the tale is set in victorian London at the time of the notorious Ripper murders. What's the oriental connection you may ask? How the heck should I know, I just draw the pictures ;) NoDavidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-34097142894699891032009-02-13T10:39:00.003Z2009-02-13T10:56:13.933ZWerewolves/ wolfmen are difficult to drawHello all, I've recently realised the above as I've just done a pin-up image for the upcoming Accent UK title Wolfmen2. I take my hat off to Andy Bloor, who has the task of drawing LOADS of em...one was enough for me (well, four actually) see, one slight hair out of place, and your wolf looks like a dog! See first aborted attempt. Finished one shown above Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-75940733238417066902009-01-27T12:02:00.002Z2009-01-27T12:13:58.134ZGood day allYes, it's been a while, apologies for that. I've been off doing normal stuff, playing computer games and reading comics (sometimes the other way round). I've just heard that the Cthulu Tales story I did is now in issue 12 (not 11 as originally quoted) I'm looking forward to seeing it, and I hope that my comic shop will have one, though I don't hold out much hope as I've not seen one Davidnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-5103341581364002672008-12-17T11:13:00.003Z2008-12-17T14:49:42.115ZHappy Fishmas..er, Christmas one and all! Just FINished the short TALE for BoomStudios. It's showing up in a future issue of Chthulu Tales, written by Shane Oakley and I have to say, one of the best stories I've had the pleasure of working on. Thanks a lot for the opportunity, Shane. Here's a sneak peek. I've been offline for sometime, motherboard has ceased to exist on my home computer, can't Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-68690635601813667672008-11-24T13:19:00.003Z2008-11-24T13:33:05.914ZHi gang I've started work a ten page story for BOOM Studios' CTHULU TALES. It's a great tale set in Cornwall 1910, superbly scribed by Shane Oakley (artist on the Wildstorm ALBION limited series). Thanks to Shane for putting my name forward for this. Here's a page to be going on with.... also, below are a few sketches I did recently, contact me for availabilty.cheers for nowDaveDavidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-918374967647340792008-11-11T21:50:00.002Z2008-11-11T21:52:38.378ZThis is for direct purchase of one copy of GOTHIC UK only please. This includes postage.Davidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-80624467935334555282008-11-08T12:23:00.002Z2008-11-08T12:35:08.774ZNot long to go now, this time next week I'll be at The ThoughtBubble show in Leeds http://www.thoughtbubblefestival.com/08guests.aspI'm going to be bringing along some original sketches, which I'll be numbering and selling on the day (along with GOTHIC) to any interested parties. The sketches will feature various characters that are in the stories in the tabloid newsprint comic. Although it's a Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-10641690285730622862008-11-03T10:27:00.002Z2008-11-03T10:36:39.216ZG'day all. As it was halloween a few days back I thought I'd do a pic of Hellboy getting dragged in the abyss by a bunch of reanimated bones. This is only the third Hellboy illo I've ever done (the other two were sold in auctions for charity some years ago). I'll be at the Leeds ThoughtBubble show in a few weeks time, get over to my table early as I'm planning on doing a few small painted Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-44271133264693866252008-10-30T10:00:00.002Z2008-10-30T10:03:26.244ZSNIKT! Here's a pic I did just for the heck of it. If you look closely, you can see how the brawl started. It ain't pretty....Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-75343556596136404382008-10-25T00:18:00.002+01:002008-10-25T00:43:33.005+01:00By the hairy hosts of Hoggarth :)Here's a little magic in the shape of everyone's favourite Doctor (if you suffer from temporal dimensional lapses, that is). Really enjoyed doing something a bit different with this drawing. Hope you guys like it. I'm currently reading through a script for an unusual 'samurai warrior' project, bloody good it is too (pardon the pun). If I take it on, and all goes Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-50153475066003451282008-10-20T12:12:00.000+01:002008-10-20T12:13:44.185+01:00Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-59651554290988226662008-10-18T11:55:00.003+01:002008-10-18T12:00:47.997+01:00Ayeup gangHere's a different one, I've not really done that many superhero things, teams even less, but here's a JSA pic I've started. Want to try and be fancy with lighting on this one---I'll post the finished thing later....cheersDaveDavidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-46417564617776980062008-10-12T22:05:00.002+01:002008-10-12T22:29:31.320+01:00Okay, I'm a bit late again, but I've got an excuse of sorts, been laid up with a cold since coming back from BICS last week. heven't really done much of anything. But I can report what a great time I had at the Birmingham Internationsl Comics Show. I met up with loads of good folk again, Shane Oakley, Gary Crutchley, Colin and Dave from Accent UK, Andy Bloor, John Reppion, Leah Moore, Dez Skinn, Davidnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-85395512813397984432008-09-27T12:45:00.003+01:002008-09-27T12:55:24.093+01:00Hello all----here's a big one!It's been a busy week here, well I've been away in Lisbon actually, which was very nice indeed. Just two days before that GOTHIC rolled off the press. I'm very pleased with the look of it too. I attended FantasyCon in Notts, mainly to see Dave mcKean who kindly posed for this pic. How cool is that? I think he liked the paper too, which is a bonus. Other stuff Davidnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-78799896488814313282008-09-15T20:58:00.003+01:002008-09-15T21:09:31.324+01:00Hello you.I know there's someone out there... isn't there? Here's a picture to look at anyway. This batman original will be for sale at the BICS show, it won't be part of the '£30 a page' promotion I'm doing for GOTHIC though I'm afraid. Anbody interested in advance, just make me an offer. I'm only selling art in an effort to try and get some cash fast so that I can start paying of the cost of Davidnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-8553204616431250112008-09-13T23:29:00.002+01:002008-09-13T23:36:37.596+01:00Goin' bats!I'm having a bash at another Batman peice. A collector on Comic Art Fans.com asked if I fancied doing a commission for him... a suitably gothic looking Batman. It occurred to me that one of the gargoyles looked a bit like the Joker, so I was going to call it 'Familarity'... not sure though, what do you think?I'll post the finished pic in a few days, when I can get access to a scanner.Davidnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-41888047139394089752008-09-02T20:29:00.004+01:002008-09-03T21:01:10.248+01:00Hello everyone.Well, as promised, here's the list of stuff in GOTHIC. First of all we have a short Witch Hunt tale, which (ha) was originally going to be a 'times past' story in Gary Spencer Millidge's 10th Anniversary of Strangehaven, I was proud to be asked to be part of that. Then a small wordless tale called 'Treasure' which was one of my first published stories... ever. Then a brand new 'Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-65908451479369179932008-08-27T14:07:00.002+01:002008-08-27T14:11:41.630+01:00Just a quickie here chaps (and chapesses). First draft of what the GOTHIC cover (might) look like. A rundown of contents to follow soon....Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-80091338702819757872008-08-24T18:27:00.002+01:002008-08-24T18:42:06.321+01:00WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF?Hello all, I've been doing some bank holiday sketching. This spread will (hopefully) be finished tomorrow and I plan to include it in the GOTHIC newspaper/comic. It will be a 48-page one shot including some short stories, some of you may have seen them printed in Accent UK's anthologies BUT you wouldn't have seen them presented in sepia tones and various other shades. Davidnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-17075896159804748072008-08-01T10:12:00.001+01:002008-11-13T08:23:27.040ZHere it is, finished yesterday, but only just got to posting.DaveDavidnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-44607561918612778412008-07-31T13:34:00.002+01:002008-11-13T08:23:27.276ZIT'S A MIRACLE!1.I have a day off work. 2.I'm drawing and 3.Miracle Man.Collectors have asked (on numerous occasions) if I would draw Miracle Man, in the past I've always steered clear of trying to draw 'super-types' for some reason I seem to have trouble with them. Sitting here today, I suddenly thought 'I'll have a go at Marvel Man'. I'm in awe of folk like Alan Davis, Bryan Hitch and many Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-4164074726663342062008-07-21T15:01:00.002+01:002008-11-13T08:23:27.427ZHere's the finished thing guys. I thought the boots could be from his Antarctic exploration days ;)Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-68992583872523041432008-07-19T18:39:00.002+01:002008-11-13T08:23:27.532ZFROM THE DRAWING DESKI've decided to make these blogs a little more 'hands on', a 'work in progress' type of thing I guess. Here's what I've been up to this afternoon, yes I should have been mowing the evergrowing grass, but I opted for doing this instead. A few years ago I drew a Victorian version of Batman, which I was going to submit to DC, I saw one of their editors at a show here in the UK, Davidnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-31417058711986214582008-07-17T15:58:00.002+01:002008-11-13T08:23:27.681ZSHOOT 'EM UP!Howdy pards, just finished a short western, scribed by Messrs Moore and Reppion. It's a great tale with lots of clever stuff packed into the six pages. MRS HENRY will be in the upcoming WESTERN anthology from AccentUK, out in May 2009. I missed the ROBOTS book due to the Bloomsbury thing I was slaving over at the time. Here's a sneak peek...Davidnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-77347309332988664392008-07-08T10:11:00.004+01:002008-11-13T08:23:27.804ZHello chapsJust a small update for now. The old website has become defunct, so from now on I'll be just posting new bits on this 'ere blog. I'll be advertising my next project through PREVIEWS soon. Here's the advert for your perusal, let me know what you think. Your feedback is important, it let's me know if I'm on the right track with stuff you'd like to see. More info soon.Davidnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666068.post-34895802618600014812008-06-13T12:35:00.003+01:002008-11-13T08:23:27.976ZHello allIs it my imagination, or are these blogs getting a little more regular? A little good news came my way recently, as that book publisher contacted me with a small compensation package for work carried out. I was delighted to hear that news as I really thought there'd be no chance of getting anything for the wasted months. It's a long road yet, but the gesture has been made. Nothing else Davidnoreply@blogger.com1